What Kind of Paintbrush Is for a Semigloss Paint?

Semigloss Paint

• Gloss is the term used to describe how shiny a paint is. It is also referred to as sheen. Paint comes in a flat, eggshell, satin, semigloss and glossy sheen. Semigloss paint is a good paint to use in high-traffic areas, kitchens, bathrooms and in kid rooms. It is durable, moisture-resistant and easier to clean than flat, satin and eggshell paints, but it's not quite as shiny and wet looking as glossy paint.

Paintbrush for Latex Paint

• Latex paint is a water-based paint. If you are painting with a semigloss latex paint, select a paintbrush that has bristles made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon or polyester. Synthetic bristles do not absorb water and will therefore leave a smoother finish than a natural fiber paintbrush.

Paintbrush for Oil-Based Paint

• If the semigloss paint you are using is an oil-based or alkyd paint, select a paintbrush that has natural or China bristles made from animal hairs. These types of brushes leave a smooth finish when painting, especially when painting with a gloss or semigloss finish. If you own a high-quality synthetic paintbrush, you can also use it for your oil-based paints.

Other Tips

• Select a high-quality brush that has a higher percentage of bristles with split or flagged ends and also has bristles of varying lengths. Also, a brush with an angled or tapered edge is usually easiest to paint with. If you are painting a textured wall, use a synthetic brush since the texture can damage a natural brush. Select a 2-inch brush when painting along an edge or corner; it gives you better control. For larger surfaces, a 3- to 4-inch brush works well.